Authentic learning experiences are designed for students to apply their knowledge and skills to performance tasks that reflect real-world purposes, audiences, and resources. Authenticity serves to promote culturally responsive and meaningful learning opportunities.

Eden Prairie Schools' K-12 Distance Learning Plan will be implemented in the spirit of our district mission and using the key tenets of our Personalized Learning Framework outlined above.

Distance Learning Plan
K-12 students

K-12 Licensed Staff will provide instruction and assignments via Schoology and/ or SeeSaw, which will include the use of learning software/apps. All apps will either be loaded on to the district issued devices or be available for free download via Self Service. See iLearn webpage for resources.

Students will have access to electronic books, math workbooks and journals, various textbooks and/or other materials necessary to deliver instruction and complete assignments.

Instruction and assignments will provide an opportunity for students to review, practice and/or engage in new learning related to district Essential Learning Targets and MN State Standards.

Completion of the assignments will be monitored and submitted via Schoology or Seesaw, this will also be how daily attendance is recorded.

Lessons may be asynchronous or synchronous.

Student-Teacher Interaction

The purpose of Student-Teacher interaction is to expand on existing partnerships and implement responsive practices that are applied in the Distance Learning context to ensure EACH student learns continuously.

Virtual communication may be provided through discussion boards, video conferencing and schoology messaging. K-12 licensed staff will be available by email during established school hours outlined below. Students or parents may also leave a voicemail message, and teachers will provide real time responses to questions.

Distance learning will begin on April 7. March 16 through March 27 are planning time for Eden Prairie Schools, as specified in Executive Order 20-02 and following direction from the Minnesota Department of Education. Distance learning will begin after Eden Prairie Schools' spring break, March 30-April 6.

The Minnesota Department of Education as provided information in its Q & A on school closure: The eight days between March 18 and March 27 are for planning purposes only. The expectation is that school districts plan for an unprecedented potential break in school, possibly 8 weeks of lessons delivered equitably for every student – those with IEPs and 504 Plans, those learning English as a new language, those who are experiencing homelessness, those who need mental health supports; all while determining and communicating with students and families how you are going to take attendance and distribute school meals daily. That is why eight days have been set aside for planning.

Structure & routines
Building structure is important for all of us as we navigate more time at home together. Review this resource for ideas on creating structure at home, and a sample schedule for your days together. A good structure provides comfort and certainty for everyone.

Talking about COVID-19 (coronavirus)
It may be hard to explain COVID-19 to your children in a way that is calming and reassuring. The National Association of School Psychologists has excellent resources to help you navigate those conversations. Read more about the ways you might talk with your children about COVID-19.

Internet safety
Help keep your kids' online experiences positive and productive by learning the truth (and ignoring the rumors) about what really makes them safe. The article 5 Myths and Truths About Kids’ Internet Safety from Common Sense Media clarifies ways we can keep kids safe while they go to school online.

Mindfulness
Many Eden Prairie Schools students practice mindfulness each day in their classrooms. Mindfulness encourages students and families to take breaks and calm their minds at different points throughout the day. These mindful breaks bring more focus to upcoming tasks and allow us time to slow down. Mindful Schools is offering a free live online class Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 12:00 p.m. Central Time. You must sign up ahead of time to participate in real time. They will be posting the sessions online in case you are unable to participate in the live session.

Since 2013 Eden Prairie Schools has provided district issued devices for each K-12 student. Survey data from families indicates that the vast majority of students have internet access in the home.

Internet Access
Comcast is offering two (2) months free to new Internet Essentials (phone: 855-846-8376) customers in response to anticipated emergency measures associated with the COVID-19 (coronavirus). Spanish and English flyer available here.

Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available for anyone who needs them for free - including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of XFinity Wifi hotspots in Eden Prairie, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi and enter your zip code.

Eden Prairie Schools is providing this information as a courtesy to families, not as an endorsement of the services provided.

To assist families who may need to show proof of eligibility, Eden Prairie Schools sent letters of confirmation of free or reduced-price lunch status to families that have already qualified this year.

Free internet in our area
If you currently do not have wireless internet at home, access to free wireless internet can be found at Hennepin County Public Libraries or local businesses such as coffee shops and restaurants. Click the link(s) below to find the one that meets the needs of your family.

Mobile Phone Hotspots
Many mobile phone carriers have temporarily removed data caps as part of their response to COVID-19. By enabling the hotspot feature on your phone, you can connect a district-issued device to the internet. Check with your mobile phone carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon) before proceeding in order to avoid additional fees.

Licensed ESL teachers will support individual student needs and will continue to partner with classroom teachers to modify lessons to support student learning needs in the Distance Learning environment.

Eden Prairie Schools employs bi-lingual paraprofessionals to support learning needs and language development of English Learners. Each paraprofessional has been issued a device to ensure she/he is able to support students in the Distance Learning environment.

To ensure students and families have one access point for distance learning, Gifted Specialists will provide instruction and assignments via the homeroom class Schoology or SeeSaw course. Students in the KEY program will continue to receive service from KEY teachers, and students who are enrolled in the MOSAIC program will continue to work with their homeroom teachers.

Although instructional delivery methods will be modified to best meet the Distance Learning context, Eden Prairie Schools will continue to use the adopted instructional resources. Embedded in the resources are a variety of assessment tools such as quizzes, review of artifacts/projects, reports, rubrics, self-assessments & observation. Additional Distance Learning assessment tools may include - discussion posts, virtual observations, and audio chats. Teachers will take advantage of these assessment resources to ​provide feedback to students and determine student progress toward mastering the district Essential Learning Targets and MN State Standards.

Distance Learning replaces face-to-face learning and school attendance has the same expectations. Students whose family chooses to not participate in the day are reported as absent. It is up to the school whether to consider this an excused absence, according to Minnesota Statutes, section 120A.22, subdivision 12. (Minnesota Department of Education memo, March 2018)

We are here for your students! From March 17 through April 6, parents receive Learning Resources for K-12 students to learn and explore on their own. These are not required, we are providing to support our families during the time that students are not in session.

All Eden Prairie children 18 and under, including students enrolled in TASSEL, are eligible to receive meals at no cost. Families do not need to qualify for free or reduced-price lunch to receive meals at this time; this is for all Eden Prairie youth, regardless of whether they are enrolled in Eden Prairie Schools. Meals are conveniently packaged to go and meet federal nutrition standards. Food will be distributed by Eden Prairie Schools from buses that will be parked at the locations listed below. If you cannot make one of these locations, contact your school social worker.

Meals are available every Monday, Wednesday and Friday through May 1. Visit our COVID-19 page under Food support for more details.

If you need more food, contact PROP (952-937-9120) or the Family Resources Program.

If you are in a position to donate to others, we recommend contacting PROP or the food bank of your choice.